Nine Sermons on Important Doctrinal and Practical Subjects

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Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1834, by ABEL C. THOMAS, in the Clerk's Office of the Distriet Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

PREFACE.

y ABEL

Castern

The Sermons of which this volume is composed, were delivered during a visit of the author to Philadelphia, in the month of November, 1834. With the exception of the second Sermon, they were taken down by an able stenographer of this city-from whom the MSS. were purchased by the publisher. The exception referred to was written out and furnished by the author, in compliance with the urgent solicitation of the undersigned.

It is confidently believed that the stenographer did ample justice to the speaker. As the discourses were delivered without notes of any description, the occurrence of occasional repetitions was to have been expected. These the publisher has taken the liberty to expunge. He has also exercised the privilege of an editor, in supplying such remarks and citations as seemed required fully to express the meaning of the preacher. Persons who are accustomed to extemporaneous speaking, are aware, that an occasional omission of this description will occur in their public communications.

The Sermons are all on important doctrinal and practical subjects. They cannot fail to interest and edify the reader. They are distin. guished by patient reflection, deep penetration, and sound logic.The doctrinal features are prominently developed, and the practical influences ably delineated. In a word, the Sermons are strongly characteristic of HOSEA BALLOU—and every one who has attentively perused any of his productions, will understand what I mean.

The discourse entitled, “Growth in Knowledge and Grace," was delivered by request of the “ Young Men's Universalist Institute." It is a production replete with sound argument and wholesome advice. The members of the association unanimously tendered to Br. Ballou the expression of their unfeigned gratitude, for his cheerful compliance with their request. And they fervently pray, that the

exhortations and instructions of that aged minister of the reconcilia-
tion, may be long remembered and practically regarded by the In-
stitute.

The principal part of the “Memoir of the Author,” is extracted
from Whittemore's “ Modern History of Universalism”—for which
valuable and interesting work, it was specially written by Br. Ballou.

The articles inserted in the Appendix, are offered in illustration
of portions of some of the Sermons. The Address of the Philadel-
phia Universalist Institute is specially commended to the attention
of the reader.

A. C. T.

Philadelphia, January, 1835.

by the In

CONTENTS.